Redeemer, in whom only I trust; and I do not question, but that I am going to par∣take of that Fulness of Joy which is in his presence, the hopes whereof does so wonder∣fully delight me, that I reckon this as the happiest time of my Life, tho others may look upon it as the saddest.
I have lived, and now die of the Reformed Religion, a true and sincere Protestant, and in the Communion of the Church of England, tho I could never yet comply with, or rise up to all the heights of many People. I wish with all my Soul, all our unhappy Differences were removed, and that all sincere Protestants would so far consider the Danger of Popery, as to lay aside their Heats, and agree against the Common Enemy; and that the Church∣men would be less severe, and the Dissenters less scrupulous: For I think Bitterness and Persecution are at all times bad, but much more now.
For Popery, I look on it as an Idolatrous and Bloody Religion; and therefore thought my self bound, in my Station, to do all I could against it. And by that, I foresaw I should procure such great Enemies to my self, and so powerful Ones, that I have been now for some time expecting the worst. And blessed be God, I fall by the Axe; and not by the Fiery Tryal. Yet, whatever Apprehensions I had of Popery, and of my own severe and heavy share I was like to have under it, when it should prevail, I never had a Thought of doing any thing against it basely, or inhu∣manly; but what could well consist with the Christian Religion, and the Laws and Liber∣ties of this Kingdom. And I thank God, I have examin'd all my Actings in that Matter, with so great Care, that I can appeal to God Almighty, who knows my Heart, that I went on Sincerely, without being moved, either by Passion, By-End, or Ill-Design. I have always loved my Country much more than my Life; and never had any Design of changing the Government, which I value, and look upon as one of the best Governments in the World, and would always have been ready to venture my Life for the preserving of it, and would have suffered any Extremity, rather than have consented to any Design to take away the King's Life: Neither ever had Man the Im∣pudence to propose so base and barbarous a thing to me. And I look on it as a very un∣happy, and uneasy part of my present Con∣dition, That in my Indictment there should be so much as mention of so vile a Fact; tho nothing in the least was said to prove any such Matter; but the contrary, by the Lord How∣ard: Neither does any Body, I am confident, believe the least of it. So that I need not, I think, say more.
For the King, I do sincerely pray for him, and wish well to him, and to the Nation, That they may be happy in one another; that he may be indeed the Defender of the Faith; That the Protestant Religion, and the Peace, and Safe∣ty of the Kingdom may be preserved, and flou∣rish under his Government; and that He in his Person may be happy, both here, and hereafter.
As for the share I had in the Prosecution of the Popish Plot, I take God to Witness, that I proceeded in it in the Sincerity of my Heart; being then really convinced (as I am still) that there was a Conspiracy against the King, the Nation, and the Protestant Religi∣on: And I likewise profess, that I never knew any thing, either directly or indirectly, of any Practice with the Witnesses; which I look upon as so horrid a thing, that I could never have endured it. For, I thank God, Falshood and Cruelty were never in my Nature, but always the farthest from it imaginable. I did believe, and do still, that Popery is breaking in upon the Nation; and that those who ad∣vance it, will stop at nothing, to carry on their Design: I am heartily sorry that so ma∣ny Protestants give their helping Hand to it. But I hope God will preserve the Protestant Religion, and this Nation: tho I am afraid it will fall under very great Tryals, and very sharp Sufferings. And indeed the Impiety, and Profaneness that abounds, and appears so scan∣dalously bare-fac'd every where, gives too just reason to fear the worst things which can befal a People. I pray God prevent it, and give those who have shew'd Concern for the Publick Good, and who have appear'd Hearty for the true Interest of the Nation, and the Protestant Religion, Grace to live so, that they may not cast a Reproach on that which they endeavour to advance; which (God knows) has often given me many sad Thoughts. And I hope such of my Friends as may think they are touch'd by this, will not take what I say in ill part, but endeavour to amend their ways, and live suitable to the Rules of the true Reformed Religion; which is the only thing can administer true Comfort at the lat∣ter End, and revive a Man when he comes to Dye.
As for my present Condition, I bless God, I have no Repining in my Heart at it. I know for my Sins I have deserved much worse at the Hands of God; So that I cheerfully sub∣mit to so small a Punishment, as the being ta∣ken off a few Years sooner, and the being made a Spectacle to the World. I do freely forgive all the World, particularly those con∣cerned in taking away my Life: and I desire and conjure my Friends to think of no Re∣venge, but to submit to the holy Will of God, into whose Hands I resign my self en∣tirely.
But to look back a little; I cannot but give some touch about the Bill of Exclusion, and shew the Reasons of my appearing in that Bu∣siness; which in short is this: That I thought the Nation was in such danger of Popery, and that the Expectation of a Popish Successor (as I have said in Parliament) put the King's Life likewise in such danger, that I saw no